To Use or Not to Use: Investigating Student Perceptions of Faculty Generative AI Usage in Higher Education

A new study presented at the AI in Education 2026 conference reveals significant student skepticism toward faculty use of generative AI. The paper, 'To Use or Not to Use: Investigating Student Perceptions of Faculty Generative AI Usage in Higher Education' by researchers Jie Gao, Jiayi Zhang, and Dan Chen, analyzed survey responses from 156 undergraduate and graduate students. It found that while 31% of students support GenAI use by both students and faculty, a larger 37% oppose its use in any academic context. The research categorizes students into four distinct groups: GenAI Optimists, Student Support Group, Faculty Support Group, and Non-supporters, providing a nuanced map of campus attitudes.

A thematic analysis of student concerns uncovered two major issues. First, a substantial 79% of respondents questioned the validity and reliability of content generated by tools like GPT-4 or Claude for teaching and grading. Second, 37% expressed fear that faculty overreliance on AI could create a 'futile cycle,' potentially diminishing educators' own critical thinking and pedagogical skills. These pedagogical concerns were more prominent than worries about academic integrity or workload. The study concludes that as GenAI becomes embedded in higher education, institutions must address these student perceptions to build trust and develop effective, transparent usage guidelines that prioritize educational quality over mere efficiency.